December 8, 2014 - Thank you Sanlúcar - ZL

Well, I can´t believe that transfers are already here again! This past Saturday, Elder Bates and I recieved our calls. Elder Bates will be staying here to bless many lives. His new comp is named Elder Guarcax. They will do great together. I have been transfered to work with Elder Wiley. I am really excited for the many blessings that lie ahead, but I am sure going to miss Elder Bates, and Sanlúcar.

Sanlúcar definitely has not been easy, but it has been exactly what I needed. I am so grateful for all of the things I have been able to learn, and all of the lives that have helped change me for the better. I remember when I arrived to the area there wasn´t a whole lot to do. I remember in my first lesson here with a less active when he told me, you are going to miss this place, it is very special. He could not have been more accurate. While being here, I have met some of the finest people and saints this world has to offer. I have been richly blessed by their examples and their light in this corner of Spain, and I will always be grateful for that. I will always remember our citas, our Thanksgiving with Mike, our Pday trips all over the coast, a lot of tocing, a lot of walking, the rainstorms, the hall of fame nachos by the capilla, the capilla, the ocean breeze, the many prayers, and many blessings which have helped shape me. My eyes truly have been opened here to what some members have to live around and with. Sanlúcar sure is a special place!

This past week has been another good one of work with a lot of twists and turns thrown at us! I asked Elder Bates what is one thing we did well this past week, and he said, "staying afloat" haha... it was a good description. We have been very blessed in this area, but we have also been able to learn how to deal with a lot of issues. It is a great learning experience.

Thank you again for all of the sweet birthday wishes. It made my day! The members also took very good care of me, all wishing me a happy day. I have been far too blessed. 

I am so grateful for a wonderful family and friends. I pray that you are all happy healthy, and well. 

Until next week!

Un abrazo!

Elder Farrell

December 2, 2014 - Thank you! Thank you!

Well my dear family and friends, thank you thank you thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes that you sent my way! It meant so much to me, and reminded me... wow, it is already that time again?! Ha it sure snuck up on me this time. I am grateful to see what this upcoming year holds. I feel very blessed.

Well, from the last time that I have sent a good email home, until now, A LOT has happened! Here is what I can remember.

This past Thursday we were in fact able to spend our Thanksgiving evening with Mike and his family. He ended up calling us just the day before saying, "Elders, I am here with an apple pie, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy, what else do we need?" We ended up heading over at 8 30 in the evening (Spanish status) to a very enjoyable thanksgiving dinner with he and his wife and their  children. Elder Bates and I felt very grateful to be there with them, and what made it even better was that after Mike asked me to offer the prayer, his wife just started shooting questions our way. There is nothing better than teaching a lesson over a Thanksgiving meal. I wish we could do that more often;) We enjoyed chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Yum. It was memorable for sure. 

Right now as a mission we are focused on the Church’s new video "He is the Gift" and really using it to our advantage. The church truly is incredible. Él es la Dádiva. I am so grateful for this time of year and for the opportunity we have to think of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Truly the ultimate gift. 

On Sunday I had the opportunity to speak here again in our Rama. They asked if I would speak and gave me an open theme. After much prayer and study I chose to share the message that President Uchtdorf shared in the Priesthood session this past General Conference, "Lord, Is It I?" I invite each of you to read it. Wow, it is an inspired message that we can all apply more in our lives. 

As many of you know, I am in the coolest mission in the world and with that comes REALLY fun Pdays! Yesterday we were able to go to Gibraltar and spend the day on the rock with the monkeys. We were able to take an incredible tour and see everything, but with the remaining time I have I’ll share a very funny story. Hardest I have laughed in a while! So as our tour guide was driving us up, we approached the patch of monkeys. As we pulled up they started jumping all over the car. We ended up getting out and the tour guide would set them on us to take a pic and then take them off. My comp was a little nervous to do so, but finally decided it would be worth it. The guide set the monkey on his arm. As he was there with the monkey on his arm, he felt a little tug on his pant leg. Before he knew it, another baby monkey had made its way up to his arm as well. Now more nervous than before he looked a bit uncomfortable and that is when the third monkey jumped off of the car onto his head. hahaha I died. As if that weren´t enough, the first monkey started peeing on him. Haha bless Elder Bates.  It was dang funny. Almost as scary as when the monkey jumped off the wall onto my back... haha that is another story. Enjoyable day in Gibraltar to say the least.

This morning we had the opportunity to meet with J again. During his prayer, I realized that no matter how fun our Pdays are, I am sure grateful for this work. I love it. We continue to be blessed here.

Have a wonderful week!

I love you all.

Elder Farrell